The NLRB now is back to its full five Members, with a Republican majority and a new Chairman – John Ring. The General Counsel has shared his vision of the NLRB's future. See NLRB's GC's Roll-Back Agenda.

Changes that are in the wind involve both unionized and non-union workplaces:

Joint employers Flip Flop. Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors (NLRB 12/14/2017) [Decision] overruled Browning-Ferris Industries, 362 NLRB No. 186 (2015) and returned to the pre-Browning Ferris standard that governed joint-employer liability. But wait! The Board vacated Hy-Brand. Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors (NLRB 02/26/2018) [PDF] because Member William Emanuel had a conflict of interest. So Browning-Ferris is still with us – until the Republicans' new majority sorts things out.

Joint representation. Miller & Anderson (2016) [Board decision] overruled Oakwood Care Center (2004) and held that a union seeking to represent employees in bargaining units that combine both solely and jointly employed employees of a single user employer are no longer required to obtain employer consent.

College students.Columbia University (2016) [Board decision] overruled Brown University (2004) and held that college student assistants are statutory employees, and the fact they are also students does not change their status as employees.

Employer's email system. Purple Communications (2014) [Board decision] (reaffirmed in 2017) overruled Register Guard (2007) and held that employees may use their employer's email system for protected communications on nonworking time.

Union dues check-off. WKYC-TV(2012) [Board decision] overruled Bethlehem Steel (1962) and held that a dues check-off provision in a collective bargaining agreement remains in force after the collective agreement has expired.